A beloved poet
By Choe Chong-dae
I personally am most inspired by a wide range of poetry, prose and essays written by Claudia Lee Hae-in, a Catholic nun and acclaimed poet. My interest in Lee's poetic world originated with Lee Sung-ku, one of my close colleagues who is a cousin of Lee Hae-in.
He spoke to me on numerous occasions about Lee since the 1980s, and I actually had the pleasure of meeting her at the wedding of Lee Sung-ku's son at Hyehwa Catholic Church, Seoul in 2010.
Lee Hae-in was born into a Catholic family in 1945 in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, and displayed immense literary talent from a very young age. As a result of her father being kidnapped by North Korean troops during the Korean War in 1950, Lee was forced to flee to Busan with her family.
After graduating from secondary school, she entered the convent of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters in the same city in 1964, and later graduated with a degree in English from St. Louis University in the Philippines in 1975.
Lee made her debut into the literary world with the poem “Flower Shovel” in the Catholic Journal Soyeon in 1970. The poem comprised of a dialogue with natural phenomenon based on her experience of daily life. Following her taking final vows as a Benedictine nun, Lee was appointed community leader in Busan, and simultaneously immersed herself in writing poetry. Her reputation as a poet grew following the publication in 1976 of her first collection of poems titled, “The Land of Dandelions.”
Other inspiring collections of Lee's poetry and essays include; “Light a Fire in My Soul,” “The Face of Time,” “Small Praying,” “Happiness of Waiting” and “As If Leaves Are Seen After Flowers Fall.” Her poem "The Love Song of a Dandelion" which is a reflection on both consolation and hope appeared in Korean middle school text books.
Lee's autobiography, “Insights for a Good Life and Relationships; The Word of Understanding,” portrays the beauty and “goodness” of relationships in her spiritual world during her life's journey, and incorporates reflections on her experiences and thoughts, including those of her religious life as a nun. She affirms that her literary insights have been transformed through praying to Jesus.
Transcending religion, Lee developed a close friendship with the Venerable Buddhist monk Beopjeong through the exchange of copious correspondence. There are actually many similarities between these two writers in terms of observing life with a sense of gratitude and living a life of simplicity.
Beopjeong (1932-2010) was one of the Korea's most renowned writers and Buddhist priests who is well-known as the author of the essay ”Non Possession'' in 1976. He has lived at a hermitage located deep in the mountains of Gangwon Province for approximately two decades, observing a life of austerity free from greed and attachment, dedicated to prayer, silence, meditation and poverty.
As a faithful Catholic nun, Sister Lee's life reflects a yearning for joy and spiritual cultivation, mixed with the normal activities of a daily life founded on prayer and harmony with God which shines through in all her literary work.
Lee's poetic works are comprised of plain words expressed in distinctive metaphors mixed with delicate poetic nuances. Consequently, their meaning is colorful, powerful and profound, portraying universal themes such as life, compassion, forgiveness, hope and natural transformation.
My wish for Sister Lee is good health so that she can continue to produce fascinating, insightful poems which instill in us joy and hope for a bright future!
Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at choecd@naver.com